Chamonix weather & snow conditions

Chamonix weather & snow conditions

Subject to local weather and ski conditions, the ski areas at Chamonix are open from December until May. The ski runs at lower altitudes tend to be the last to open and the first to shut. Towards April and May, many of the ski runs and lifts begin closing.

Thanks to its high altitude and northerly aspect, the upper section at Grand Montets inevitably enjoys the last snow of the season. As the runs and lifts shut across the valley, the parking here can be crammed with cars as day-trippers grab the last chance of a run down the mountain.

The well-groomed pistes usually offer plenty of skiing on fresh local snow but if necessary, runs are topped up with snow cannons. Off-piste skiing through the forests, free rides and runs across glaciers are popular but depend on conditions and should only be tackled with the help of an experienced guide. Powder fanatics have an extra weapon in their arsenal, however: heli-skiing is also popular at Chamonix.